Modular Planting System for Roof Applications

ABSTRACT

A green roof modular system includes at least four planter modules each including a planter including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, and a biodegradable insert including a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with one another to form an interior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extending above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein the plurality of the sidewalls of the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, such that one of the planter modules abuts each of the remaining three planter modules and substantially no gap exists between the abutting planter modules in plan view.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/683,760, filed on Apr. 10, 2015, entitled “MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEMSFOR ROOF APPLICATIONS,” which is a divisional of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/230,837 filed on Mar. 31, 2014, entitled “MODULAR PLANTINGSYSTEM FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,097,022, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/787,002 filed onMar. 6, 2013, entitled, “MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEM FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS,”now U.S. Pat. No. 8,707,618, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/623,168 filed on Jan. 15, 2007, entitled“MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEMS FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS,” now abandoned, and acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/553,582filed on Sep. 3, 2009, entitled “MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEMS FOR ROOFAPPLICATIONS,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,555,546, and a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/093,458 filed on Apr. 25, 2011,entitled “MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEM FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS,” now abandoned,the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular planting system for roofapplications, and in particular to a modular planting system thatincludes a plurality of planter modules each including a planter and abiodegradable collar member extending upwardly from an uppermost portionof the planter, thereby allowing plant matter to extend above the upperedge of the associated planter and the biodegradable collar to degradeonce the planter module is placed adjacent to a plurality of otherplanter modules, thereby creating a green-roof system.

Green-roof systems are used in a wide variety of applications, includingcommercial and residential buildings. The positive thermal properties ofthe systems result in significant cost savings with respect to coolingof the associated buildings and structures. Further, the systemsdramatically reduce the amount of water runoff caused by rainfall, whichis particularly critical in urban areas. The systems typically include asoil or aggregate matter supporting plants therein, and barrier layersfor protecting the underlying roof and for providing the necessary waterbarriers and drainage for the associated plants. These methods mayinclude the application of seed-including soils to the selected roofarea. However, this method typically requires a significant amount oftime until the plants provide adequate coverage. Other methods that havebeen employed include the use of modular systems, thereby reducing thegrow-time required in order to provide adequate coverage by allowingplants to at least partially mature prior to being utilized within agreen roof system. However, these systems employ normal planter boxeswherein the plant matter rests below an uppermost edge of the associatedplanter or container. Such methods, while a vast improvement overprevious methods, typically result in several months to years of growtime while the individual sections grow and subsequently fuse togetherto provide adequate roof coverage.

A planted roof system is desired that provides adequate roof coveragequickly and economically, while simultaneously being easy to install ata relative low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a green roof modularsystem comprising at least four planter modules, each including aplanter including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls thatcooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, and abiodegradable insert including a plurality of sidewalls that cooperatewith one another to form an interior space, wherein the insert isadapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert,the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extending above the pluralityof sidewalls of the planter, and wherein the plurality of the sidewallsof the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter that extends abovethe plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein one of theplanter modules abuts each of the remaining three planter modules suchthat substantially no gap exists between the abutting planter modules inplan view.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a green roofmodular system comprising at least four planter modules each including asubstantially rigid planter including a bottom wall, and a biodegradableinsert including a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with oneanother to form an interior space, wherein the insert is adapted toretain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert, the pluralityof sidewalls of the insert extending upwardly from the bottom wall ofthe planter, and wherein the plurality of the sidewalls of the insertare adapted to retain a plant matter above the bottom wall of theplanter, and wherein one of the planter modules abuts each of theremaining three planter modules such that substantially no gap existsbetween the abutting planter modules in plan view.

The present inventive green roof system provides coverage of an entireroof area quickly and economically by allowing the associated modules tobe grown off-sight in a manner that allows the plant matter to extendupwardly from an associated planter and plant matter within adjacentmodules to abut immediately upon installation. Further, the roof systemis easy to install at a relatively low cost. Moreover, the systemprovides improved water communication and drainage between adjacentmodules, allows easy maintenance of the overall system, can be installedeasily and quickly by even unskilled personnel, is capable of along-operating life, and is particularly well adapted for the proposeduse.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understoodand appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to thefollowing written specification, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building employing a green roof systemembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a green roof planter module thatincludes a collar member removably inserted into an associated planter;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the planter module;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the planter module including acut-away portion of the collar member inserted into the planter;

FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional end view of the planter module;

FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional end view of an alternativeembodiment of the planter module;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the planter;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of another alternativeembodiment of the planer module;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of another alternative embodiment ofthe planter module including a planter and a supporting drainage member;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the drainage member;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a building employing a green roofsystem embodying the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a green roof planter module thatincludes a biodegradable collar member in-molded within an associatedplanter;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the planter module;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the planter module includinga cut-away portion of the collar member in-molded the planter; and

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional end view of the planter module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 2. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expresslystate otherwise.

The reference numeral 10 (FIG. 1) generally designates a green roofsystem embodying the present invention and employed on a building roof12 and comprising a plurality of individual green roof planter modules14. In the illustrated example, each of the planter modules 14 (FIGS. 2and 3) comprises a planter 16 and a removable collar 18 inserted intothe planter 16 such that the collar 18 extends upwardly from anuppermost edge of the planter 16, thereby allowing the retention ofplant matter that extends above an upper edge of the planter 16.

Each planter 16 includes a bottom wall 20, a plurality of walls thatinclude sidewalls 22 and end walls 24 that cooperate with the bottomwall 20 to form an interior space 26, and a plurality of support tabs 28(FIGS. 4 and 5) spaced about the interior space 26 and that extendinwardly toward the interior space 26. Each of the sidewalls and endwalls include a top edge 25. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, each of thesupport tabs 28 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 20 and is spacedfrom an associated sidewall 22 or end wall 24. The planter 16 ispreferably integrally molded by press forming, and the like, and isconstructed of a material such as plastic. In the illustrated example,the planter 16 is providing a rectangularly-shaped overall planform,however, other configurations may also be utilized. Further, it is notedthat the tabs 28 are configured to abut the bottom surface of the bottomwall 20 of another planter 16 when multiple planters are placed in astacked relationship. As illustrated, one of the sidewalls 22 and one ofthe end walls 24 each include an outwardly-extending overlap tab 29 thatoverlaps a respective sidewall or end wall of an adjacent planter 16.

The collar member 18 includes a plurality of walls 30 each having abottom edge 32 and a top edge 34. In the illustrated example, the collarmember 18 comprises two pieces that extend in a rectangular manner aboutthe planter 16. Specifically, the collar member 18 extends about theinterior space 26 of the associated planter 16 such that the bottom edge32 of each of the walls 30 is inserted between the sidewalls and endwalls 22, 24 of the planter 16 and the associated support tabs 28,thereby retaining the collar member 18 within the interior space 26 ofthe planter 16, and such that the walls 30 of the collar member 18extend upwardly from the top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end walls 22,24 of the planter 16. Although locking tabs are illustrated between eachof the pieces of the collar, overlapping, non-tabbed ends may also beutilized.

In operation, the collar member 18 is inserted into the interior space26 of planter 16, in a manner described above, and a plant matter thatcomprises grown plants, plant seedlings, plant seeds and the like, andsoil and/or aggregate is also inserted into the interior space 26 of theplanter 16. Subsequently, plants are grown within the interior space 26until such plant matter extends upwardly above the top edge 25 of thesidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16. The planter module 14is then placed in rows or a grid work-like pattern upon a roof 12(FIG. 1) and the collar member 18 removed such that the plant matterwithin the interior space 26 of the planter 16 abuts similar plantmatter in adjacent planter modules 14, thereby providing a connectedroof system that will quickly provide an interconnected andaesthetically-pleasing planted surface. Alternatively, the collar member18 comprises a biodegradable material that may be left within theplanter 16 placed within the overall grid work of the green roof system10. It is also noted that the walls 30 of the collar member 18 anglesoutwardly from the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16,thereby promoting a tight abutment of the plant matter extending abovethe top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 between adjacentplanter modules 14.

The proper communication of water between adjacent planters 16 isprovided by various elements within the planter 16. As best illustratedin FIG. 2, the bottom wall 20 of the planter 16 comprises a gridwork-like pattern of recesses 36 segmented by raised portions 38. Aplurality of drainage apertures 40 extend through the recesses 36 andthe raised portions 38. It is noted that at least a portion of each ofthe drainage apertures 40 extend through a lowermost portion of thebottom wall 20, thereby eliminating standing water within the planter16. Each of the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16 alsoinclude arcuately-shaped recesses or apertures 42 extending therethroughthat align with similar apertures of adjacent planters when positionedwithin the overall gridwork. As illustrated, each of the aperturesextends downwardly from the top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end walls22, 24, a distance that is greater than half of the distance between thetop edge 25 and a point at which the bottom wall 20 intersects thesidewalls and/or end wall 22, 24, thereby providing adequate watercommunication between adjacent planters 16 and further allowing for themigration of plant matter therebetween.

The reference numeral 14 a (FIG. 5B) generally designates anotherembodiment of the present inventive planter module. Since the plantermodule 14 a is similar to the previously-described planter module 14,similar parts appearing in FIGS. 2-4 and FIG. 5, respectively arerepresented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for thesuffix “a” in the numerals of the latter. In the planter module 14 a,the top edge 25 a of each of the sidewalls 22 a and end walls 24 ainclude an upwardly-opening channel 33 defining a pocket 35 within whichthe bottom edge 32 a of the collar member 18 a is inserted.

The planter 16 (FIG. 6) further includes a pair of gripping reliefs 44located at each end thereof. Specifically, each relief 44 is providedwithin the intersection of an associated end wall 24 and the bottom wall20 such that a user is able to insert their fingers into the reliefs 44,thereby allowing easy gripping and support of the planter module 14.

The reference numeral 14 b (FIG. 7) generally designates anotherembodiment of the present inventive planter module 14. Since the plantermodule 14 b is similar to the previously-described planter module 14,similar parts appearing in FIGS. 2-4 and FIG. 7, respectively arerepresented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for thesuffix “b” in the numerals of the latter. In the planter module 14 b,the intersecting corner 46 between the sidewalls 22 b and the end walls(not shown) are provided with an aperture 48 extending therethrough,while corresponding corners of the collar member 18 b are provided withan aperture or recess 50. The alternative embodiment planter module 14 bfurther includes a retainer member that extends about the exterior ofthe sidewalls and end wall 22 b, 24 b of the planter 16 b and extendsinto the aperture 48 of the planter 16 b and the apertures 50 of thecollar member 18 b, thereby retaining the collar member 18 b to theoutside of the planter 16 b. It is preferred that the retainer member 52comprises an elastically-deformable material, such as an elastic cord orrubber band. The retainer member 52 assists in retaining the collarmember 18 b about the planter 16 b, but allows easy removal of theretaining member 52 and the collar member 18 b from about the planter 16b.

The reference numeral 14 c (FIG. 8) generally designates anotherembodiment of the present inventive planter module. Since the plantermodule 14 c is similar to the previously-described planter module 14,similar parts appearing in FIGS. 2-4 and FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively arerepresented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for thesuffix “c” in the numerals of the latter. The planter module 14 cincludes a planter 16 c, a collar member 18 c, and a drainage member 54supporting the planter 16 c. The planter 16 c and collar member 18 c aresimilar to the previously-described planter 16 and collar member 18, themost notable exception being that the bottom wall 20 c of the planter 16c is substantially flat with a plurality of drainage holes or apertures56 extending therethrough. The drainage member 54 is providedsubstantially the same planform shape as the planter 16 c and includes atop wall 58, a bottom wall 60, and a plurality of sidewalls 62. Asillustrated, the planter 16 c includes a plurality ofdownwardly-extending pegs 63 that are embedded into the drainage member54. As best illustrated in FIG. 9, the top wall 58 includes aninwardly-extending grid work of passages or recesses 64. These passagesextend between and through the sidewalls 62 of the drainage member 54.In assembly, the bottom wall 20 c of the planter 16 c is supported onthe top wall 58 of the drainage member 54 such that the drainageapertures 56 of the planter 16 c aligns with the recesses 64 of thedrainage member 64, thereby allowing water communication therebetween.Further, the recesses 64 of the drainage member 54 are arranged so as toalign the recesses 64 of adjacent drainage members 54 within the overallgrid work of planter modules 14 c when placed upon the roof 12 of theassociated building, thereby allowing proper fluid communication betweenall adjacent planter modules 14 c. Preferably, the drainage member 54 iscomprised of a deformable foam material that allows the bottom wall 60to be easily deformed when placed upon an uneven roof surface therebyeliminating the need for blocking or altering any of the planters 16 c.The foam material also provides insulative properties between theplanters 16 c and associated roof 12.

The reference numeral 10 d (FIG. 10) generally designates anotherembodiment of the green roof system embodying the present invention andemployed on a building roof 12 d and comprising a plurality ofindividual green roof planter modules 14 d. Since the green roof system10 d is similar to the previously described green roof system 10,similar parts appearing in FIGS. 1-5 a and FIGS. 10-14 are representedby the same corresponding numeral, except for the suffix “d” in thenumerals of the latter. In the illustrated example, each of the plantermodules 14 d (FIGS. 11 and 12) comprises a planter 16 d and abiodegradable collar 18 d in-molded within the planter 16 d such thatthe collar 18 d extends upwardly from an uppermost edge 17 d of theplanter 16 d, thereby allowing the retention of plant matter thatextends above the uppermost edge 17 d of the planter 16 d.

Each planter 16 d includes a bottom wall 20 d, and a plurality of wallsthat include sidewalls 22 d and end walls 24 d (all generally referredto herein as sidewalls) each including a bottom portion 23 d and anupper portion 25 d that cooperate with the bottom wall 20 d to form aninterior space 26 d. Each of the sidewalls and end walls include anuppermost or top edge 17 d. As best illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, theplanter 16 d includes a plurality of spacing tabs 28 d that extendupwardly from the bottom wall 20 d for spacing stacked planters 16 dfrom one another as described herein. The planter 16 d is preferablyintegrally molded by press forming, and the like, and is constructed ofa material such as plastic. In the illustrated example, the planter 16 dis providing a rectangularly-shaped overall planform, however, otherconfigurations may also be utilized. Further, it is noted that the tabs28 d are configured to abut the bottom surface of the bottom wall 20 dof another planter 16 d when multiple planters are placed in a stackedrelationship.

The collar member 18 d includes a plurality of walls 30 d each having abottom portion 31 d with a bottom edge 32 d and top portion 35 d with atop edge 34 d. In the illustrated example, the collar member 18 dcomprises two pieces that extend in a rectangular manner about theplanter 16 d, and is constructed of a biodegradable material such asfiber products, paper products, wood products, biodegradable plastics,and the like. Specifically, the collar member 18 d extends about theinterior space 26 d of the associated planter 16 d such that the bottomportion 31 d of each of the walls 30 d is in-molded within the upperportion 25 d of each of the sidewalls and end walls 22 d, 24 d of theplanter 16 d, thereby securing the biodegradable collar member 18 dwithin the interior space 26 d of the planter 16 d, and such that thewalls 30 d of the collar member 18 d extend upwardly from the top edge17 d of the sidewalls and end walls 22 d, 24 d of the planter 16 d. Thecollar member 18 d is in-molded within the planter 16 d to form asingle, integral unit which may be formed by placing the collar member18 d within an associated mold prior to forming the planter 16 d via apress-forming process, blow molding process, injection molding processor other forming process known in the art.

In operation, a plant matter that comprises grown plants, plantseedlings, plant seeds and the like, and soil and/or aggregate isinserted into the interior space 26 d of the planter 16 d. Subsequently,plants are grown within the interior space 26 d until such plant matterextends upwardly above the top edge 17 d of the sidewalls and end walls22 d, 24 d of the planter 16 d. The planter module 14 d is then placedin rows or a grid work-like pattern upon a roof 12 d (FIG. 10), wherethe biodegradable collar member 18 d quickly degrades such that theplant matter within the interior space 26 d of the planter 16 d abutssimilar plant matter in adjacent planter modules 14 d, thereby providinga connected roof system that will quickly provide an interconnected andaesthetically-pleasing planted surface. It is also noted that the walls30 d of the collar member 18 d angles outwardly from the sidewalls andend walls 22 d, 24 d of the planter 16 d, thereby promoting a tightabutment of the plant matter extending above the top edge 17 d of thesidewalls and end walls 22 d, 24 d between adjacent planter modules 14d.

The proper communication of water between adjacent planters 16 d isprovided by various elements within the planter 16 d. As bestillustrated in FIG. 11, the bottom wall 20 d of the planter 16 dcomprises a grid work-like pattern of recesses 36 d segmented by raisedportions 38 d. A plurality of drainage apertures 40 d extends throughthe recesses 36 d and the raised portions 38 d. It is noted that atleast a portion of each of the drainage apertures 40 d extend through alowermost portion of the bottom wall 20 d, thereby eliminating standingwater within the planter 16 d. Each of the sidewalls and end walls 22 d,24 d of the planter 16 d also include arcuately-shaped recesses orapertures 42 d extending therethrough that align with similar aperturesof adjacent planters when positioned within the overall gridwork. Asillustrated, each of the apertures extends downwardly from the top edge17 d of the sidewalls and end walls 22 d, 24 d, a distance that isgreater than half of the distance between the top edge 17 d and a pointat which the bottom wall 20 d intersects the sidewalls and/or end wall22 d, 24 d, thereby providing adequate water communication betweenadjacent planters 16 d and further allowing for the migration of plantmatter therebetween.

The present inventive green roof system provides coverage of an entireroof area quickly and economically by allowing the associated modules tobe grown off-sight in a manner that allows the plant matter to extendupwardly from an associated planter and plant matter within adjacentmodules to abut immediately upon installation. Further, the roof systemis easy to install at a relatively low cost. Moreover, the systemprovides improved water communication and drainage between adjacentmodules, allows easy maintenance of the overall system, can be installedeasily and quickly by even unskilled personnel, is capable of along-operating life, and is particularly well adapted for the proposeduse.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art, that modifications may be made to the inventionwithout departing from the concepts as disclosed herein, suchmodifications are to be considered as included in the following claims,unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A green roof modular system, comprising: atleast four planter modules each comprising: a planter including a bottomwall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall toform an interior space; and a biodegradable insert including a pluralityof sidewalls that cooperate with one another to form an interior space,wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the interiorspace of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extendingabove the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein theplurality of the sidewalls of the insert are adapted to retain a plantmatter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter; andwherein one of the planter modules abuts each of the remaining threeplanter modules such that substantially no gap exists between theabutting planter modules in plan view.
 2. The green roof modular systemof claim 1, wherein the plurality of sidewalls of the insert angleoutwardly from the plurality of sidewalls of the planter.
 3. The greenroof modular system of claim 2, wherein the planter comprises a moldedplastic.
 4. The green roof modular system of claim 3, wherein eachplanter is attached to the planter of an adjacent planter module.
 5. Thegreen roof modular system of claim 4, wherein at least one of thesidewalls of the planter includes an outwardly-extending tab that isadapted to overlap with a sidewall of the adjacent planter.
 6. The greenroof modular system of claim 4, wherein the insert comprises at least aselect one of a group including wood, cellulose, biodegradable plastic,and paper.
 7. The green roof modular system of claim 5, wherein theinsert is at least partially coated with a material that retardsbiodegradation.
 8. The green roof modular system of claim 1, wherein theplanter comprises a molded plastic.
 9. The green roof modular system ofclaim 1, wherein each planter is attached to the planter of an adjacentplanter module.
 10. The green roof modular system of claim 9, wherein atleast one of the sidewalls of the planter includes anoutwardly-extending tab that is adapted to overlap with a sidewall ofthe adjacent planter.
 11. The green roof modular system of claim 1,wherein the insert comprises at least a select one of a group includingwood, cellulose, biodegradable plastic, and paper.
 12. The green roofmodular system of claim 1, wherein the insert is at least partiallycoated with a material that retards biodegradation.
 13. A green roofmodular system, comprising: at least four planter modules eachcomprising: a substantially rigid planter including a bottom wall; and abiodegradable insert including a plurality of sidewalls that cooperatewith one another to form an interior space, wherein the insert isadapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert,the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extending upwardly from thebottom wall of the planter, and wherein the plurality of the sidewallsof the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter above the bottom wallof the planter; and wherein one of the planter modules abuts each of theremaining three planter modules such that substantially no gap existsbetween the abutting planter modules in plan view.
 14. The green roofmodular system of claim 13, wherein the planter includes a plurality ofsidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall of the planter to form aninterior space of the planter, and wherein the insert is received withinthe interior space of the planter.
 15. The green roof modular system ofclaim 14, wherein the sidewalls of the insert extend above the sidewallsof the planter.
 16. The green roof modular system of claim 15, whereinthe plurality of sidewalls of the insert angle outwardly from theplurality of sidewalls of the planter.
 17. The green roof modular systemof claim 16, wherein each planter is attached to the planter of anadjacent planter module.